Al-Shabab kills 15 in new attack in Somalia

The al-Shabab terrorist group has launched a two-pronged attack on a religious institution in central Somalia, killing a cleric and 14 other people.

“The (security) operation is now over. Al-Shabab killed 15 people, including the cleric, his wife, his followers, and his guards,” Captain Nur Mohamed, a police officer, told Reuters from Galkayo by phone. “Three militants who stormed the center were also shot dead.”

Farah Nur, an elder in Galkayo, said a driver rammed an explosive-laden car into the center before other assailants attacked it, also according to Reuters.

The Takfiri al-Shabab quickly claimed responsibility for the attack.

The terrorist group controls some sections of the Mudug region, where the city of Galkayo is located.

Al-Shabab militants have stepped up on their attacks in the past months, launching numerous attacks on civilian and government targets and injuring and killing many people.